Snow retaining gate for material moving blade



Nov. 19, 1968 3,411,590

SNOW RETAINING GATE FOR'MATERIAL MOVING BLADE A. D. BATKO v INVENTOR. Amu .62 3.4220

Filed Oct. 24, 1965 United States Patent 3,411,590 SNOW RETAINING GATE FOR MATERIAL MOVING BLADE Adam D. Batko, Anoka, Minn., assignor to Village of Edina, Edina, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,825 Claims. (Cl. 172-777) This invention relates to a gate device for use with road machines such as graders and the like that have material moving blades, to permit control and lateral discharge of material such as snow by the material blades.

The general object of this invention is to provide a road machine of the type having a material moving blade, such as a grading machine or the like, with a retaning gate that is shiftable vertically into and out of obstructing relation with respect to the discharge end of the material moving blade, for controlling the discharge of material from the blade, and which is arranged and constructed to be moved to an operative position within the general confines of the grading machine so that the gate device does not present an obstruction during travel of the machine when the gate device is not in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gate device for use in conjunction with the material moving blade of a road machine such as a grader or the like, which is especially adapted for use in controlling the discharge of snow from the discharge end of the blade during a snow removal operation whereby snow may be held against discharge into driveways and road intersections.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a gate device of the class described wherein the gate is mounted for vertical translation by the cooperative action of the gate with guide surfaces on the material moving blade and on the mounting structure for the gate, so that the gate may be precisely positioned with respect to the discharge end of the blade, but which may be moved into an out-of-the-way inoperative position generally within the confines of the road machine with which it is associated.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the conventional patrol grading machine employing my inventon;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the gate device in the lowered operative position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the gate device illustrated in the lowered operative position with respect to the material moving blade; and

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the gate device illustrated in the raised inoperative position.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel gate device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown in cooperatlng relation wth a conventional patrol grader, designated generally by the reference numeral 11. The patrol grader 11 may be any suitable commercial type and includes a main frame 12 supported for traversing movement over the ground by the articulated front wheels 13 and the tandemly arranged driven rear wheels 14. The power plant for the grading machine comprises a conventional diesel engine 15 and the machine has the usual cab structure 16. The drawbar 17 of the grader revolvably supports the blade circle or ring 18 and a standard moldboard type material moving blade 19 is mounted on the blade circle in the usual well-known manner for movement therewith. It is also pointed out that the material moving blade is provided with a convetional mounting means for permitting adjustment of the blade by manual 3,411,590 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 "Ice or by power operation to a plurality of selected positions with respect to its angle of attack, this adjustment mechanism for the blade 18 is also well known with respect to conventional commercial grading machines.

When the patrol grader 11 is involved in a snow removal operation, the material moving blade 19 will be oriented in oblique relation with respect to the path of travel of the machine as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The snow will be engaged by the front face of the material moving blade and will be discharged in a windrow from the rearwardly disposed discharge end of the blade. Puring this now removal operation from a roadway, it 15 desirable to prevent the lateral discharge of the snow lnto driveways and into intersections which connect or communicate with the road being cleared. The gate dev1ce 10 is especially adaptable for use with the material moving blade for controlling the discharge of snow therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be seen that the gate device 10* includes a generally rectangular gate member 20 constructed of a suitable rigid metallic material having an elongate cutting edge element 21 secured to the lower edge thereof. It is preferred that this cutting edge element 21 be detachably connected to the lower peripheral edge portion of the gate member by means of suitable bolt assemblies or the like to permit removal of this cutting edge element when the same becomes worn. It will be noted that the rear end portion of the gate member 22 is angularly offset with respect to the major portion thereof so that the included angle between the major portion and the rear offset portion 22 defines an obtuse angle as best seen in FIG. 3. The lower cutting edge element 21 is also offset and follows the configuration of the rear end portion 22 and it will be noted that a transverse reinforcing rib 23 is formed in the gate member 20 and is disposed substantially parallel with respect to the cutting element 21.

Means are provided which swingably mount the gate member for shifting movement into and out of obstructing relation with respect to the material moving blade 19. This means includes a gate mounting structure or frame 24 which as seen is connected with the blade circle ring 18 and which projects outwardly therefrom. To this end, it will be seen that a generally fiat mounting plate 25 is rigidly affixed to the blade circle 18 and projects outwardly therefrom. A pair of attachment ears 26 are secured to the mounting plate 25 and project outwardly therefrom, these cars being laterally spaced apart, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The mounting structure -or frame 24 includes a pair of elongate rigid laterally spaced apart mounting arms or links 27, each being secured at its inner or rear end to the attachment ears 26 by pivots 28. The arms 27 are rigidly interconnected by cross brace elements 29 as clearly seen in FIG. 3. Thus, it will be noted that the gate mounting structure of frame 24 is of generally rectangular configuration.

A pair of substantially flat attachment members or plates 30 are each rigidly attached at their outer end portion to one of the arms 27 as by welding or the like. These attachment members 30 are of similar configuration and are disposed in spaced apart parallel relation and it will be noted that each plate 30 has tapered upper end portion 31.

It will be seen that the inner or rear surface of gate 20 is provided with rearwardly projecting attachment ears 32 which are interconnected to the plates 30 by pivots 33. It will be noted that pivots 33 of each attachment ear is spaced inwardly from the peripheral edges of the plates 30. To this end, it is pointed out that one edge of each of the plates 30 defines a first guide surface 34 while another edge of each plate 30 defines a second guide surface 35, these guide surfaces being angularly related with respect to each other. The cooperative relation of the guide surfaces 34 and 35 along with the rear or inner surface 35 of thejgate 20 and the outer vertical edge portion 37 at the discharge end of the blade 19, control the disposition of the gate during its swinging movement between the operative and inoperative positions.

The means for shifting the gate 20 between the operative and inoperative position includes a double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 38 which as seen comprises a cylinder 39 'having a piston axially movable therein, the piston being connected to one end of a piston rod 40. The outer end of the piston rod 40 is bifurcated as at 41 and this bifurcated end is pivotally connected to one of the plates 30 at the tapered upper end portion 31 thereof by pivot 42.

The inner end portion of the cylinder 39 is positioned between a pair of ears 43 mounted on a mounting plate 25 and is pivotally connected to the ears by means of a pivot 44. The hydraulic cylinder 39 is provided with suitable fittings which are connected by conduits 45 to a suitable source of hydraulic fluid carried by the patrol grader machine 11. When the piston rod 40 is in the retracted position, as best seen in FIG. 4, the gate 20 will be elevated to the inoperative position and when the piston rod is extended, the gate will be disposed in the lowered operative position. The controls for operating the double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 38 will be located within the cab structure 16 for easy access by the operator thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that an inverted V-shaped guide member 46 is affixed to the upper surface of the blade 19 so that a sloping camming surface 47 is provided which defines a continuation with the vertical edge surface 37 of the blade 19.

It will also be seen that the material moving blade 19 is provided with a scarifying implement 48 which includes a heavy body member 49 having an opening therein, into which projects the shank 50 of the scarifying tooth 51, the latter being of conventional configuration. The shank 50 is wedged into gripping relation with the inner surface of the body member 49 by suitable wedge-type locking means (not shown). Access to this wedge-shaped locking means with respect to the shank receiving bore in the body member 49 is provided by means of an opening 52 which faces forwardly and upwardly with respect to the body member 49. The upper portion of the body member 49 is positioned between a pair of attachment ears 53 which are suitably apertured' for receiving a pivot 54, which also projects through an opening in the body member 49. It will be seen that the rear surface 55 of the body member 49 is of smoothly arcuate convex configuration which corresponds generally to the front face of the blade 19 whereby the body member is nicely accommodated by the front concave surface of the blade 19.

This scarifying implement is swingable between the lower operative position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and an upper inoperative position where it is disposed in an over center position relative to its pivotal connection with the blade 19. When the scarifying tooth 51 becomes worn, the user may disengage the wedge-shaped locking means within the bore of the body member 49 from the shank 50 of the scarifying tooth 51 and thereby remove the worn tooth. Thereafter, a new tooth may be reinserted and wedged into locking relation with respect to the body member 49.

When my novel gate device is used in conjunction with a grading machine during a snow removal operation, the gate 20 will normally be elevated to the inoperative position as the material moving blade 19 traverses the roadway being cleared. It will be noted that when the gate 20 is in the elevated inoperative position, as best seen in FIG. 4, the gate is actually within the confines of the machine as defined by the vertical edge surface 37 of the blade 19 whereby the gate device does not present an obstruction hazard for striking signposts and other structures which are located adjacent the side of the roadway.

As the grading machine approaches an entranceway on the roadway being cleared such as a driveway, or another road which intersects the roadway being cleared, then the operator will actuate the controls to cause extension of the piston rod 40 so that the gate 20 will be very quickly lowered to the operative position. When the gate 20 is in the upper or inoperative position, the rear surface 36 of the gate 20 will engage the second guide surfaces 35 of the plates 30, which limits relative pivotal movement between the gate 20 and plates 30 so that the gate will assume the position of the gate illustrated in FIG. 4. As the gate 20 is lowered, the lower inner surface of the gate will first strike the V-shaped guide member 46 and move along the camming surface 47, which progressively pivot the gate about its pivots 33. Further downward movement of the gate 20 will result in the inner or rear surface 36 of the gate engaging the vertical edge surface 37 of the blade 19, to urge the inner surface of the gate against the first guide surface of each plate 30 whereby the gate is held against pivotal movement relative to the plates 30, and the entire terminal portion of movement of the gate 20 to the lowered operative position comprises vertical translation thereof.

The reverse operation is produced as the gate is shifted from the lowered position to the inoperative position. The coaction between the gate 20 and the first guide surface 34 of each plate 30, as well as the coaction of the gate with the edge surface 37 of the blade 19, produces vertical translation of the gate during the initial portion of movement thereof towards the inoperative position. Thereafter, the gate will pivot about its pivots 33 by action of gravity until it engages the second guide surface 35 on the plates 30. This particular arrangement permits use of relatively short radius arm for mounting the gate 20 whereby the gate can be moved to an out-of-the-way position relative to the grading machine when it is in the inoperative position. Therefore, at least a portion of the movement of the gate in its movement between the operative and inoperative positions constitutes rectilinear or vertical translation thereof.

It is pointed out that when the gate 20 is in its loewrmost position, the offset rear end portion 22 thereof projects rearwardly beyond the blade 19 and as pointed out above, this rear end portion is disposed substantially normal to the general longitudinal axis of the material moving blade 19. It is also pointed out that when the gate 20 is in the lowered operative position, the lower peripheral edge of the cutting edge element 21 will, under most conditions, preferably engage the road surface being cleared, while the rear end portions of the gate will engage the edge surface 37 of the blade 19. The lower peripheral edge of the cutting edge element 21 will also be disposed in substantially co-planar relation with respect to the lower edge of the blade 19.

Therefore, since the gate 20 is disposed in obstructing relation with respect to the discharge end of the material moving blade, the snow will accumulate against the front surface of the material moving blade and will not be discharged as the material moving blade passes the drive way or intersection. After the driveway or intersection has been passed, the operator may actuate the controls to cause the piston rod 34 to be retracted into the cylinder 39, thus causing rapid positive raising of the gate from obstructing relation with respect to the front face of the material moving blade. This permits the snow to be windrowed in a controlled manner along the road surface being cleared.

Although the gate device 10 is primarily for use with grading machines and the like in snow removal operation, the device may also be used during other material moving operations.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved gate device used in conjunction with road machines such at patrol graders and the like that are provided with material moving blades, my gate device being especially adaptable for use in permitting controlled windrowing of snow during a snow removal operation.

It will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs, that my novel gate device, when in the raised inoperative position, is generally within the confines of the machine with which it is associated and therefore does not present an obstruction hazard, the gate also being capable of rapid movement to the lowered operative position wherein the discharge of the material being moved by the material moving blade may be positively controlled.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel improved gate device which is not only a simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a mobile grading machine of the type having an annular revolvable blade mounting structure, and a blade mounted on said annular mounting structure for movement therewith,

an attachment device including a generally rectangular gate,

means mounting said gate on said blade mounting structure for revolving movement therewith and for swinging movement relative thereto between an elevated inoperative position above the blade and a lowered operative position, the lower peripheral edge of the gate being disposed in substantially coplanar operation with the lower edge of the blade when the gate is in the lower operative position and said gate being positioned in transversely extending obstructing relation with respect to the discharge end of the blade when in the lower operative position to thereby prevent the discharge of material from the blade, said means including a gate mounting structure having an inner end pivotally connected with said blade mounting structure for swinging vertical movement relative thereto about a substantially horizontal axis, said gate mounting structure projecting outwardly from said blade mounting structure and having an attachment member affixed to the outer end thereof, means pivotally connecting said gate to said attachment member for limited pivotal movement therebetween about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the axis of pivot of said gate-mounting structure,

said attachment member having a first guide surface thereon engaging said gate when the latter is in the operative position, and a second guide surface on said attachment member angularly related with respect to said first guide surface and engaging said gate when the latter is in the inoperative elevated position, said first guide surface cooperating with the outer vertical edge of the blade to guide and restrain the gate against pivotal movement relative to said gate mounting structure whereby the gate is vertically translatable between the lower operative position and then intermediate position when the lower edge thereof is in engaging relation with the upper edge portion of the blade,

and actuating means extending between and interconnected with the gate mounting structure and said blade-mounting structure for power shifting said gate between the elevated inoperative position and the lowered operative position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and a guide element on the upper edge portion of said blade adjacent to the discharge end thereof having a camming surface for engaging the gate to guide the same between the lower inoperative position and said intermediate position.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said gate has a rear end portion angularly offset from the general plane of the major portion of the gate, and said angularly offset portion projecting rearwardly beyond the discharge end of the blade, and being disposed substantially normal to the general longitudinal axis of the blade.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and a scarifying implement pivotally mounted on said blade and positioned against the forward surface thereof and adjacent to saiddischarge and thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,148,466 9/1964 Batko 37-l43 X ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

A. E. KOPECKI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A MOBILE GRADING MACHINE OF THE TYPE HAVING AN ANNULAR REVOLVABLE BLADE MOUNTING STRUCTURE, AND A BLADE MOUNTED ON SAID ANNULAR MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, AN ATTACHMENT DEVICE INCLUDING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR GATE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID GATE ON SAID BLADE MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR REVOLVING MOVEMENT THEREWITH AND FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN AN ELEVATED INOPERATIVE POSITION ABOVE THE BLADE AND A LOWERED OPERATIVE POSITION, THE LOWER PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE GATE BEING DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR OPERATION WITH THE LOWER EDGE OF THE BLADE WHEN THE GATE IS IN THE LOWER OPERATIVE POSITION AND SAID GATE BEING POSITIONED IN TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING OBSTRUCING RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE DISCHARGE END OF THE BLADE WHEN IN THE LOWER OPERATIVE POSITION TO THEREBY PREVENT THE DISCHARGE OF MATERIAL FROM THE BLADE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A GATE MOUNTING STRUCTURE HAVING AN INNER END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID BLADE MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR SWINGING VERTICAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID GATE MOUNTING STRUCTURE PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BLADE MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND HAVING AN ATTACHMENT MEMBER AFFIXED TO THE OUTER END THEREOF, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID GATE TO SAID ATTACHMENT MEMBER FOR LIMITED PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN ABOUT AN AXIS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF PIVOT OF SAID GATE-MOUNTING STRUCTURE, SAID ATTACHMENT MEMBER HAVING A FIRST GUIDE SURFACE THEREON ENGAGING SAID GATE WHEN THE LATTER IS IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION, AND A SECOND GUIDE SURFACE ON SAID ATTACHMENT MEMBER ANGULARLY RELATED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST GUIDE SURFACE AND ENGAGING SAID GATE WHEN THE LATTER IS IN THE INOPERATIVE ELEVATED POSITION, SAID FIRST GUIDE SURFACE COOPERATING WITH THE OUTER VERTICAL EDGE OF THE BLADE TO GUIDE AND RESTRAIN THE GATE AGAINST PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID GATE MOUNTING STRUCTURE WHEREBY THE GATE IS VERTICALLY TRANSLATABLE BETWEEN THE LOWER OPERATIVE POSITION AND THEN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF IS IN ENGAGING RELATION WITH THE UPPER EDGE PORTION OF THE BLADE, AND ACTUATING MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND INTERCONNECTED WITH THE GATE MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND SAID BLADE-MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR POWER SHIFTING SAID GATE BETWEEN THE ELEVATED INOPERATIVE POSITION AND THE LOWERED OPERATIVE POSITION. 